Toronto’s skies will once again roar with the sound of jets this Labour Day weekend as the Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) returns to the waterfront for its 76th year.
This year’s lineup features the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, the CF-18 Demonstration Team, and the F-35 Demonstration Team, along with other crowd favourites. The annual tradition coincides with the closing weekend of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), marking the unofficial end of summer for Toronto residents.
One absence will be noticeable, however: the CL-415 water bombers, which in past years wowed audiences with dramatic water collection and drop demonstrations. The aircraft are being fully deployed in ongoing firefighting operations across Canada, where dozens of wildfires remain active.
Lori Duthie, executive director of the CIAS, said the event continues to hold a special place in the city. “This event has been part of the city’s story for more than 75 years, and it means a lot to see generations of families come together to experience it,” she said, noting that the show is “more than just a performance — it’s a tradition.”
Founded in 1946, the CIAS is the longest-running air show in North America and typically attracts more than one million spectators each year.
Performances will take place from Saturday, August 30 to Monday, September 1, running daily from noon to 3:40 p.m. A practice session is also scheduled for Friday, August 29, during the same hours, and residents should expect loud noise throughout rehearsals and performances.
The air show can be viewed for free from Toronto’s waterfront and CNE grounds, but an exclusive show zone will also be set up at Marilyn Bell Park (1095 Lake Shore Blvd. W.). The ticketed area opens at 10 a.m. daily, featuring a pre-show water display from 11:30 a.m. to noon before the main aerial performances begin. Tickets include same-day entry to the CNE.